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Crossroads of World History: The Balkans

Crossroads of World History: The Balkans
From left: Dubrovnik, Mostar, and Sarajevo

Study Tour for Teachers

July 9-16, 2025

On a map, the Balkans are in southeastern Europe, but that can be misleading. The Balkans were historically a crossroads of different states and cultural traditions. At different points, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, and the Austro-Hungarians ruled the region, as well as many independent, local states. All these states have left behind their mark, and we can see their legacies across the region. Roman ruins exist next to Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches. Get lost wandering through this history. See the spot where Gavrilo Princip assassinated Franz Ferdinand and triggered the First World War. Taste the legacies of the Ottoman Empire in Bosnian dishes. Swim in the Adriatic Sea beneath the walls of Dubrovnik and imagine the centuries of ships that have sailed beneath the same walls.

This study tour will focus on learning about this rich history through the eyes of local residents in Sarajevo and Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Dubrovnik in Croatia. We will partner with local organizations guiding us through the region and leading us on walking tours. Each day will also include dedicated time to discuss what we have seen and reflect on how we can integrate our experiences into our teaching.

Bram Hubbell, the creator of Liberating Narratives, is organizing this tour. He taught world history in New York City for over twenty years. Bram is a passionate traveler who has traveled around the world for twenty-five years and has visited more than 70 countries. He prioritizes learning from people in the places he’s visiting. In the early 2000s, Bram participated in many organized study tours and hopes to recreate some of their magic and inspire educators to learn through traveling. By visiting sites and learning from the people in the places we visit, we become better teachers and make our classes more exciting for our students.

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Spot where Gavrilo Princip assassinated Franz Ferdinand
Pricing and Registration

What’s Included

  • 8 days, 7 nights accommodation
    • 3 nights accommodation in Sarajevo’s old city
    • 2 nights accommodation in Mostar’s old city
    • 2 nights accommodation in Dubrovnik’s old city
  • Breakfast and dinner every day
  • 4 lunches are included
  • Every meal will offer vegetarian and vegan options
  • Airport transfers from Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) and to Dubrovnik International Airport (DBVV)
  • Transportation from Sarajevo to Mostar and Mostar to Dubrovnik
  • Daily discussions about regional history and culture with Bram
  • Daily brainstorming sessions about how to integrate the trip into our teaching
  • Walking Tours with local guides in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Dubrovnik
  • Walking the medieval walls of Dubrovnik
  • Admission fees to all sites

Bram's wife, Angela, will also be on the trip. She is a certified yoga teacher who has led retreats around the world. She will also offer a few optional mindfulness programs.

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Bram swimming beneath the walls of Dubrovnik

What's Not Included

  • Air Fare
  • Travel Insurance
  • Spending money
  • Alcohol
  • Lunch on 2 days
  • Tips for local staff
Bram looking out from the walls of Dubrovnik
Pricing and Registration

Tentative Itinerary (Subject to Change)

Wednesday July 9

  • Arrive in Sarajevo by 2PM and meet at hotel
  • Evening walking tour and group dinner

Thursday July 10

  • Walking tour - emphasis on Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian period
  • Visit City Museum and Jewish synagogue
  • Watch sunset over the city
  • Group Dinner

Friday July 11

  • Learning about the Yugoslav period and the wars of the 1990s
  • Free time to explore Sarajevo
  • Cooking class
  • Group dinner

Saturday July 12

  • Leave in the morning for Mostar
  • Site visit en route
  • Walking Tour of Mostar in evening
  • Group dinner

Sunday July 13

  • Visit sufi lodge near Mostar, free time to explore Mostar
  • Group dinner

Monday July 14

  • Early morning departure for Dubrovnik
  • Walking tour of city
  • Group dinner

Tuesday July 15

  • Walk the walls of Dubrovnik
  • Swimming in the Adriatic or free time to visit churches
  • Final group dinner

Wednesday July 16

  • Breakfast and head home
Mostar’s Ottoman bridge was originally built during the reign of Süleyman

Pricing

Double Occupancy (shared room) = $2600 per person

Single Occupancy (private room) = $3100 per person

  • A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot on the trip. 
  • A second payment of $1,000 will be due by February 1, 2025. 
  • The remaining balance is due by May 1, 2025.

If you need to discuss alternative payment options, please contact me.

Registration


To register for the study tour, please pay the deposit.

There will be an additional 4% processing fee to pay by credit card. Pay here.

To pay via Zelle, you can send payment to bram@liberatingnarratives.com or use this QR code.

After I confirm your deposit, I will send you the registration information.